Apparatus, method and computer program product to provide Flow_ID management in MAC sub-layer for packet-optimized radio link layer

Abstract

A series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs, each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, is stored in a local memory. The local memory is accessed whenever a LCID is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, and each RLSP includes a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter. A first data packet bearing a LCID and establishing a flow is received over a wireless logical channel. The local memory is accessed to determine if an RLSP is associated with the LCID of the first data packet. For the case where an RLSP is not associated with the LCID in the local memory, the LCID is associated with a designated default RLSP, and the first data packet is processed using the designated default RLSP. Predetermined and custom RLSPs are also described, as are methods, devices, programs, an integrated circuits embodying the invention.

1 . A method comprising: 
 storing in a local memory a series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, said local memory accessed whenever a LCID Is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, each RLSP comprising a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter;    after storing, receiving over a wireless logical channel a first data packet bearing a LCID that establishes a flow;    accessing the local memory to determine if an RLSP is associated with the LCID;    for the case where an RLSP is not associated with the LCID in the local memory, associating the LCID with a designated default RLSP; and    processing the first data packet using the designated default RLSP.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP: 
 exchanging radio resource control RRC signaling with the sender of the first packet to register the LCID to the designated default RLSP; and    storing in the local memory an association of the registered LCID to the designated default RLSP.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP: 
 receiving a new packet bearing the LCID and a RLSP identifier that is not associated in the local memory with the designated default RLSP, and thereafter;    accessing from the local memory a predetermined RLSP associated with the RLSP identifier;    storing in the local memory an association of the LCID with the predetermined RLSP; and    processing the new packet in a medium access control layer using the predetermined RLSP.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP: 
 receiving a new packet bearing the LCID and at least one radio link service parameter different than a corresponding parameter of the designated default RLSP, and thereafter;    storing in the local memory a customized RLSP that differs from the default RLSP in the at least one radio link service parameter;    storing in the local memory an association of the LCID with the customized RLSP; and    processing the new packet in a medium access control layer using the customized RLSP.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the designated default RLSP comprises that set of radio link service parameters that represent best effort services.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the association between the LCID and the designated default RLSP is automatically removed from the local memory after a predetermined period of time elapses during which no packets bearing the LCID are either sent or received.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local memory stores a series of default LCIDs, each default LCID associated with one non-reconfigurable default RLSP, said designated default RLSP not one of the non-reconfigurable default RLSPs.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  executed by a network entity, further comprising: 
 prior to receiving the first packet, storing a maximum number of unregistered logical channels for uplink use, each logical channel associated with an LCID, and sending a message indicating the maximum number; and    after receiving the first data packet, comparing a number of active unregistered logical uplink channels in use by the sender of the first data packet to the stored maximum number.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein for the case where the number of active unregistered logical channels exceeds the stored maximum number, reducing the number of active unregistered logical channels by registering the LCID.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the message comprises a broadcast message.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the message is directed to the sender of the first data packet during initial network access or cell reselection of the sender.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein for the case where the number of active registered logical uplink channels in use by the sender of the first data packet exceeds the stored maximum number, the method further comprising: 
 terminating at least some uplink resources that are currently allocated to the sender.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein for the case where the number of active registered logical uplink channels in use by the sender of the first data packet exceeds the stored maximum number, the method further comprising: 
 initiating registration of a new RLSP using the set of radio link service profile parameters of the designated default RLSP and thereafter registering the LCID with the new RLSP.    
   
   
       14 . A method for operating a user equipment UE comprising: 
 storing in a local memory a series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, said local memory accessed whenever a LCID is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, each RLSP comprising a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter;    determining from a received message a maximum number of unregistered logical uplink channels;    establishing at least one flow using an unregistered LCID that is not associated in the local memory with an RLSP;    preparing a data packet to be sent on an additional flow using an additional unregistered LCID;    comparing the maximum number to the total number of logical uplink channels in use by the UE on flows using an unregistered LCID;    responsive to the comparing and for the case where the total number exceeds the maximum number, reducing the total number of logical uplink channels in use.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein reducing comprises deleting the data packet without sending it.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein reducing comprises registering the additional unregistered LCID to an RLSP.  
   
   
       17 . A program of machine-readable instructions, tangibly embodied on an computer readable memory and executable by a digital data processor, to perform actions directed toward processing a data packet with a set of service parameters, the actions comprising: 
 storing in a local memory a series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, said local memory accessed whenever a LCID is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, each RLSP comprising a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter;    after storing, determining from a first data packet received over a wireless logical channel a LCID that establishes a flow;    accessing the local memory to determine if an RLSP is associated with the LCID;    for the case where an RLSP is not associated with the LCID in the local memory, associating the LCID with a designated default RLSP; and    processing the first data packet using the designated default RLSP.    
   
   
       18 . The program of  claim 17 , the actions further comprising, after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP: 
 exchanging radio resource control RRC signaling with the sender of the first packet to register the LCID to the designated default RLSP; and    storing in the local memory an association of the registered LCID to the designated default RLSP.    
   
   
       19 . The program of  claim 17 , the actions further comprising, after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP: 
 determining from a new packet, wirelessly received and bearing the LCID, a RLSP identifier that is not associated in the local memory with the designated default RLSP, and thereafter;    accessing from the local memory a predetermined RLSP associated with the RLSP identifier;    storing in the local memory an association of the LCID with the predetermined RLSP; and    processing the new packet in a medium access control layer using the predetermined RLSP.    
   
   
       20 . The program of  claim 17 , the actions further comprising, after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP: 
 determining from a new received packet, wirelessly received and bearing the LCID, at least one radio link service parameter different than a corresponding parameter of the designated default RLSP, and thereafter;    storing in the local memory a customized RLSP that differs from the default RLSP in the at least one radio link service parameter;    storing in the local memory an association of the LCID with the customized RLSP; and    processing the new packet in a medium access control layer using the customized RLSP.    
   
   
       21 . The program of  claim 17 , wherein the memory and the processor are disposed in a network node, the actions further comprising: 
 prior to receiving the first packet, storing a maximum number of unregistered logical channels for uplink use, each logical channel associated with an LCID, and sending a message indicating the maximum number; and    after receiving the first data packet, comparing a number of active unregistered logical uplink channels in use by the sender of the first data packet to the stored maximum number.    
   
   
       22 . The program of  claim 21 , wherein for the case where the number of active unregistered logical channels exceeds the stored maximum number, the actions further comprise reducing the number of active unregistered logical channels by at least one of: 
 registering the LCID to an RLSP; and    terminating at least some uplink resources that are currently allocated to the sender.    
   
   
       23 . A device comprising: 
 a memory to store a series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, said memory accessed whenever a LCID is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, each RLSP comprising a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter;    a transceiver to receive over a wireless logical channel a first data packet bearing a LCID that establishes a flow;    a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver to: 
 determine if there is an association in the memory of an RLSP with the LCID;  
 for the case where an RLSP is not associated with the LCID in the memory, associating the LCID with a designated default RLSP; and  
 process the first data packet using the designated default RLSP.  
   
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP, the transceiver operates to exchange radio resource control RRC signaling with the sender of the first packet to register the LCID to the designated default RLSP; and 
 the processor operates to store in the memory an association of the registered LCID to the designated default RLSP.    
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein, after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP, the processor operates to: 
 determine from a new packet, wirelessly received by the transceiver and bearing the LCID, a RLSP identifier that is not associated in the memory with the designated default RLSP, and thereafter;    access from the memory a predetermined RLSP associated with the RLSP identifier;    store in the memory an association of the LCID with the predetermined RLSP; and    processing the new packet in a medium access control layer using the predetermined RLSP.    
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein after associating the LCID with the designated default RLSP, the processor operates to: 
 determine from a new packet, wirelessly received by the transceiver and bearing the LCID, at least one radio link service parameter that is different than a corresponding parameter of the designated default RLSP, and thereafter;    store in the memory a customized RLSP that differs from the default RLSP in the at least one radio link service parameter;    store in the memory an association of the LCID with the customized RLSP; and    process the new packet in a medium access control layer using the customized RLSP.    
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the device comprises a network element configured such that: 
 prior to receiving the first packet, the memory stores a maximum number of unregistered logical channels for uplink use, each logical channel associated with an LCID, and sending a message indicating the maximum number; and    after receiving the first data packet, the processor operates to compare a number of active unregistered logical uplink channels in use by the sender of the first data packet to the stored maximum number.    
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein for the case where the number of active unregistered logical channels exceeds the stored maximum number, the processor operates to reduce the number of active unregistered logical channels by at least one of: 
 registering the LCID; and    terminating at least some uplink resources that are currently allocated to the sender.    
   
   
       29 . A user equipment comprising: 
 a memory to store a series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, said memory accessed whenever a LCID is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, each RLSP comprising a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter;    a transceiver to wirelessly receive a message indicating a maximum number of unregistered logical uplink channels, and to establish at least one flow using an unregistered LCID that is not associated in the local memory with an RLSP;    a processor to prepare a data packet to be sent on an additional flow using an additional unregistered LCID, the processor further to compare the maximum number to the total number of logical uplink channels in use by the UE on flows using an unregistered LCID, an responsive to the comparing and for the case where the total number exceeds the maximum number, the processor operates to reduce the total number of logical uplink channels in use.    
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the processor operates to reduce by deleting the data packet without sending it from the transceiver.  
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the processor operates to reduce by registering the additional unregistered LCID to an RLSP.  
   
   
       32 . An integrated circuit comprising: 
 circuitry to determine from a first data packet received over a wireless logical channel a LCID that establishes a flow;    circuitry to determine, from a local memory coupled to the integrated circuit that stores a series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, whether the LCID of the first packet is associated with an RLSP, where the local memory is accessed whenever a LCID is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, and where each RLSP comprises a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter;    circuitry for associating the LCID with a designated default RLSP for the case where an RLSP is not already associated with the LCID in the local memory; and    circuitry for processing the first data packet using the designated default RLSP.    
   
   
       33 . A device comprising: 
 means for locally storing a series of logical channel identifiers LCIDs each associated with one radio link service profile RLSP, said means for locally storing being accessed whenever a LCID is taken into use for identifying an active logical channel, each RLSP comprising a set of radio link service parameters at least one of which is a quality of service parameter;    means for receiving over a wireless logical channel a first data packet bearing a LCID that establishes a flow;    means for determining, using the means for locally storing, if an RLSP is associated with the LCID;    responsive to the means for determining that an RLSP is not associated with the LCID, means for associating the LCID with a designated default RLSP; and    means for processing the first data packet using the designated default RLSP.    
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein 
 the means for locally storing comprises a computer readable memory;    the means for receiving comprises a transceiver;    the means for determining, means for associating, and means for processing comprises a processor coupled to the memory and transceiver.